The Mino Festival is held every year on the second Saturday and Sunday of April, and the event is best known for several flower mikoshi (portable shrines) that are paraded around the area. The mikoshi are decorated with around 250 to 300 sakura-inspired washi paper flowers, and as they make their way around the city they look like cherry blossoms dancing in the breeze.
The flower mikoshi will be on display from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m on the Saturday of the event, with other mikoshi showcased on the Sunday.
A fun fact about Mino: washi paper is one of their biggest industries, with the Hon Minoshi type receiving UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status in 2014. Impressively, only three washi styles in Japan have been bestowed with that honor.
Getting there
The event takes place around the Hachiman Shrine area in Mino, Gifu Prefecture. The venue can be accessed in 10 minutes on foot from Minoshi Station, which is served by the Nagaragawa Railway's Etsumi-Nan Line.
For those who opt to drive, the general area is 5 minutes from the Mino IC on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway. Parking is available on-site, and there will be additional temporary lots set up to accommodate the influx of visitors expected for the festival.
Kim Bergström @kim.b
Almost 12 years living in Asia. Passionate about Japan's off-the-beaten-path spots, family-friendly travel, flower events (all of them!) and the amazing tea culture here. 🍵🌼🌸
